Packed with vitamin C, this smoothie is a real immunity booster. Enjoy it first thing in the morning to kick start your day or as a mid-afternoon snack when energy levels start to drop.

Have you guys ever put a bunch of ingredients together without much thought and ended up with a suuuper tasty final product?

Well this is exactly what happened with this recipe. I had a lots of frozen butternut squash in the freezer and instead of using it in a vegan mac and cheese, I thought, “why not try something different and add it in a smoothie.”

I did a bit of research and learned that butternut squash pairs beautifully with citrus fruits, that is why oranges ended up on the ingredient list. Also, the first time I made this recipe was back at the beginning of March when I was totally craving foods that reminded me of the summer. For me, the summer rhymes with bright flavors, a touch of tropical hints and freshness.

To bring me to warm summer days, I added a frozen banana (a must in every smoothie in my opinion!), a big chunk of ginger, lime juice and a red chilli – I loooove a good smoothie with a kick!

Blend it all up with some ice and you’ve got yourself a luxurious, creamy smoothie that can brighten up any gray day! Although this recipe came to life by accident, I must say, it’s one for the books. I absolutely love going back to it. It adds a nice variety to my usual berry + spinach smoothies.

A FEW NOTES ON THIS RECIPE

If at the time of the year that you are reading this recipe, blood oranges are not in season, feel free to swap them out with a regular orange.

No hemp hearts or flax seeds? You can omit them. I personally love to add them to my smoothies for added healthy fats and Omega 3s.

For an extra anti-oxidant kick, add 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric and a crack of pepper.

I absolutely love creating smoothie recipes. They are so easy to make, but you can get so so creative with them and create some unique flavor combinations. If you try this recipe, make sure to leave your thoughts below! You can also share your creations on Instagram and tag me (@muriellebanackissa).